Radionuclide labeling of vitamin B12 and coenzymes thereof

ABSTRACT

A compound useful for in vivo imaging of organs and tumors is provided of formula: ##STR1## wherein ##STR2## is a cobalamin, ##STR3## is derived from a corrin carboxylic acid group of said cobalamin, Y is a linking group and X is a chelating group, optionally comprising a detectable radionuclide or a paramagnetic metal ion, and n is 1-3.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of application Ser. No. 08/557,955, filed Nov. 13, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,313 which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For several years after the isolation of vitamin B₁₂ as cyanocobalamin in 1948, it was assumed that cyanocobalamin and possibly hydroxocobalamin, its photolytic breakdown product, occurred in man. Since then it has been recognized that cyanocobalamin is an artifact of the isolation of vitamin B₁₂ and that hydroxocobalamin and the two coenzyme forms, methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, are the naturally occurring forms of the vitamin.

The structure of these various forms is shown in FIG. 1, wherein X is CN, OH, CH₃ or adenosyl, respectively. Hereinafter, the term cobalamin will be used to refer to all of the molecule except the X group. The fundamental ring system without cobalt (Co) or side chains is called corrin and the octadehydrocorrin is called corrole. The Co-contg heptacarboxylic acid resulting from hydrolysis of all the amide groups without the CN and the nucleotide, is designated cobyrinic acid. The corresponding hexacarboxylic acid with D-1amino-2-propanol side chain f is called cobinic acid and the hexacarboxylic acid with the α-D-ribofuranose-3-phosphate attached to the 2-position of the amino propanol is called cobamic acid. Thus, cobamide is the hexaamide of cobamic acid, cobyric acid is the hexaamide of cobyrinic acid and cobinamide is the hexaamide of cobinic acid. FIG. 1 is adapted from The Merck Index, Merck & Co. (11th ed. 1989), wherein X is above the plane defined by the corrin ring and nucleotide is below the plane of the ring. The corrin ring has attached six amidoalkyl (H₂ NC(O)Alk) substituents, at the 2, 3, 7, 8, 13, and 18 positions, which can be designated a-e and g, respectively. See D. L. Anton et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 102, 2215 (1980). The molecule shown in FIG. 1 can be abbreviated as shown below: ##STR4## wherein, e.g., X is CN, OH, CH₃, or adenosyl.

Methylcobalamin serves as the cytoplasmic coenzyme for ⁵ N-methyltetrahydrofolate:homocysteine methyl transferase (methionine synthetase, EC 2.1.1.13), which catalyzes the formation of methionine from homocysteine. Adenosylcobalamin is the mitochondrial coenzyme for methylmalonyl CoA mutase (EC5.4.99.2) which interconverts methylmalonyl CoA and succinyl CoA.

All forms of vitamin B₁₂ (adenosyl-, cyano-, hydroxo-, or methylcobalamin) must be bound by the transport proteins, Intrinsic Factor and Transcobalamin II to be biologically active. Specifically, gastrointestinal absorption of vitamin B₁₂ relies upon the intrinsic factor-vitamin B₁₂ complex being bound by the intrinsic factor receptors in the terminal ileum. Likewise, intravascular transport and subsequent cellular uptake of vitamin B₁₂ throughout the body is dependent upon transcobalamin II and the cell membrane transcobalamin II receptors, respectively. After the transcobalamin II-vitamin B₁₂ complex has been internalized, the transport protein undergoes lysozymal degradation, which releases vitamin B₁₂ into the cytoplasm. All forms of vitamin B₁₂ can then be interconverted into adenosyl-, hydroxo-, or methylcobalamin depending upon cellular demand. See, for example, A. E. Finkler et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys., 120, 79 (1967); C. Hall et al., J. Cell Physiol., 133, 187 (1987); M. E. Rappazzo et al., J. Clin. Invest., 51, 1915 (1972) and R. Soda et al., Blood, 65, 795 (1985).

Cells undergoing rapid proliferation have been shown to have increased uptake of thymidine and methionine. (See, for example, M. E. van Eijkeren et al., Acta Oncologica, 31, 539 (1992); K. Kobota et al., J. Nucl. Med., 32, 2118 (1991) and K. Higashi et al., J. Nucl. Med., 34, 773 (1993)). Since methylcobalamin is directly involved with methionine synthesis and indirectly involved in the synthesis of thymidylate and DNA, it is not surprising that methylcobalamin as well as Cobalt-57-cyanocobalamin have also been shown to have increased uptake in rapidly dividing tissue (for example, see, B. A. Cooper et al., Nature, 191, 393 (1961); H. Flodh, Acta Radiol. Suppl., 284, 55 (1968); L. Bloomquist et al., Experientia, 25, 294 (1969)). Additionally, upregulation in the number of transcobalamin II receptors has been demonstrated in several malignant cell lines during their accelerated thymidine incorporation and DNA synthesis (see, J. Lindemans et al., Exp. Cell. Res., 184, 449 (1989); T. Amagasaki et al., Blood. 26, 138 (1990) and J. A. Begly et al., J. Cell Physiol., 156, 43 (1993).

Vitamin B₁₂ has several characteristics which potentially make it an attractive in vivo tumor imaging agent. Vitamin B₁₂ is water soluble, has no known toxicity, and in excess is excreted by glomerular filtration. In addition, the uptake of vitamin B₁₂ could potentially be manipulated by the administration of nitrous oxide and other pharmacological agents (D. Swanson et al., Pharmaceuticals in Medical Imaging, MacMillan Pub. Co., NY (1990) at pages 621-628).

Bacteria naturally insert Cobalt-59 into the corrin ring of vitamin B₁₂. Commercially this has been exploited by the fermentative production of Co-56, Co-57, Co-58, and Co-60 radiolabeled vitamin B₁₂ . For example, see Chaiet et al., Science, 111, 601 (1950). Unfortunately Cobalt-57, with a half life of 270.9 days, makes Co-57-cyanocobalamin unsuitable for clinical tumor imaging. Other metal ions (cobalt, copper and zinc) have been chemically inserted into naturally occurring descobaltocorrinoids produced by Chromatium and Streptomyces olivaceous. Attempts to chemically insert other metal ions in these cobalt free corrinoid rings has been unsuccessful. The placement of metals (cobalt, nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, zinc, and lithium) into a synthetic corrin ring has not presented any major difficulties. However, their instability and cost to produce makes them impractical for biological assays. Although Co-59 is a weakly paramagnetic quadrapolar nuclei in the 2+ oxidation state, Co-59 exists in the 3+ oxidation state within the corrin ring of vitamin B₁₂ and is diamagnetic. Therefore, insertion of either a radioactive or paramagnetic metal ion other than cobalt into the corrin ring does not seem feasible at this time.

A process for preparing ¹²⁵ 1-vitamin B₁₂ derivatives is described in Niswender et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,863). In this process, vitamin B₁₂ is first subjected to mild hydrolysis to form a mixture of monocarboxylic acids, which Houts, infra, disclosed to contain mostly the (e)-isomer. The mixture is then reacted with a p-(aminoalkyl)phenol to introduce a phenol group into the B₁₂ acids (via reaction with one of the free carboxylic acid groups). The mixed substituent B₁₂ derivatives are then iodinated in the phenol-group substituent. This U.S. patent teaches that the mixed ¹²⁵ I--B₁₂ derivatives so made are useful in the radioimmunoassay of B₁₂, using antibodies raised against the mixture.

T. M. Houts (U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,775) reported that the components of the radiolabelled mixture of Niswender et al. did not bind with equal affinity to IF. Houts disclosed that radioiodinated derivatives of the pure monocarboxylic (d)-isomer are useful in assays of B₁₂ in which IF is used. However, although Houts generally discloses that the monocarboxylic (d)-isomer can be labelled with fluorophores or enzymes and used in competitive assays for vitamin B₁₂ in fluids, a continuing need exists for labelled vitamin B₁₂ derivatives suitable for tumor and organ imaging and therapy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides detectable compounds of the general formula (I): ##STR5## wherein the moiety ##STR6## is cobalamin, X is CN, OH, methyl or adenosyl, ##STR7## is the residue of a monocarboxylic acid of the cobalamin, derived from a corrin propionamide group, and is preferably the essentially pure (b)-, (d)-, or (e)monocarboxylic acid; Y is a linking group and Det is a chelating group comprising a detectable metal, such as a radionuclide or paramagnetic metal ion. Preferably, the linking group is --N(H)(CH₂)₂₋₆ NH--.

For example, compounds of formula (I) derived from the (b)monocarboxylic acid, wherein Det is the diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid group (DTPA), were prepared comprising Tc-99n, In-111 and Gd-153. These compounds were found to be readily absorbed through the mammalian peritoneal membrane and gastrointestinal tract, to localize within the liver, kidney, pancreas, and spleen. Therefore, the present compounds can be used to evaluate hepatic, splenic, renal, pancreatic, and small bowel function in mammals such as humans and experimental animals, by administering a compound of formula (I) to the mammal and detecting its presence in the target organ, using appropriate normal control values for comparison.

Certain neoplastic tissue has been found to act as a vitamin B₁₂ sink, accumulating the vitamin to a greater extent than the surrounding slower dividing tissue. Therefore, the present compounds can also be used for tumor imaging and/or targeted cancer therapy, by administering a compound of formula (I) to a mammal afflicted with a tumor, so that the compound localizes in the tumor, and optionally, detecting the presence of the compound in the tumor, particularly tumors of the organs listed above.

Intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) are also an aspect of the invention, including compounds wherein Det is replaced by Chel, which is an organic chelating group, or chelator, capable of chelating a radionuclide or radioisotope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 depicts the structure of vitamin B₁₂ , wherein X is CN (cyano), OH, CH₃ or adenosyl.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts the synthesis of a cobalamin metal ion DTPA complex.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compounds of formula I can be prepared by producing a monocarboxylic acid of X-[cobalamin], wherein X is cyano-, methyl, adenosyl, and the like. These compounds can be prepared by the mild acid hydrolysis of cyanocobalamin, which has been shown to yield a mixture of mono-, a dicarboxylic acids and one tricarboxylic acid. These carboxylic acids are derived from the propionamide side chains designated b, d and e, as discussed hereinabove, which are more susceptible to hydrolysis than the amide groups on acetamide side chains a, c, and g. The (b)-, (d)-, and (e)-monocarboxylic acids can be separated by column chromatography. See FIG. 1 herein, and FIG. 1 of D. L. Anton et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1, 2215 (1980). See, also, J. B. Armitage et al., J. Chem. Soc., 3349 (1953); K. Bernhauer, Biochem. Z., 344, 289 (1966); H. P. C. Hogenkamp et al., Biochemistry 14, 3707 (1975); and L. Ellenbogen, in "Cobalamin," Biochem. and Pathophysiol., B. Babior, ed., Wiley, N.Y. (1975) at chapter 5.

The X-[cobalamin] [CO₂ H] can be linked to the metal chelator by means of a linking group, which is preferably a divalent, or "bifunctional" organic linking group. Such linking groups comprise two reactive groups, one that is coupled to the CO₂ H group, and the other that is coupled to the metal chelator. A variety of homobifunctional and heterobifunctional linking reagents known in the art are useful in the present invention. Preferred linkers comprise one or two amino or hydroxyl groups, such as ω-aminoalkanoic acids, e.g., ε-amino caproic acid (H₂ N--(CH₂)₅ --COOH), or alkane diamines including 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane and 1,6-diaminohexane, and the like. Particularly preferred among the aminoalkanoic acids and similar compounds are those which are soluble in aqueous buffers.

Det is a chelating group comprising a radionuclide, such as a metallic radioisotope. Preferred among these chelating compounds "chelators" or (chel) are such polycarboxylic acids as EDTA, DTPA, DCTA, DOTA, TETA, or analogs or homologs thereof.

DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) can be attached to cobalamin carboxylic acid(s) via reaction of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride (Aldrich Chem. Co.) with a linker comprising a free amino group. This yields a Chel group that is 2-(amidomethyl)-1,1,7,7-diethylenetriaminetetraacetic acid. This chelator can be reacted with radionuclides to yield a Det moiety of the general formula ##STR8## wherein M is the radionuclide. The synthetic route to a cobalamin metal ion DTPA complex (4) is schematically shown in FIG. 2, wherein WSC water soluble carbodiimide.

The chelator (chel) DCTA has the general formula: ##STR9##

DCTA is a cyclohexane-based metal chelator, wherein R³ may by (C₁ -C₄)alkyl or CH₂ CO₂ --, which may be attached to the Y through positions 4 or 5, or through the group R³ and which carries from 1 to 4 detectable metal or nonmetal cations (M), monovalent cations, or the alkaline earth metals. Thus, with metals of oxidation state +1, each individual cyclohexane-based molecule may carry up to 4 metal cations (where both R³ groups are CH₂ COOM). As is more likely, with higher oxidation states, the number of metals will decrease to 2 or even 1 per cyclohexane skeleton. This formula is not intended to limit the molecule to any specific stereochemistry. In particular, both amino functionalities may be either cis or trans to each other.

Other macrocyclic carboxylic acid chelators which can be linked to the cobalamin carboxylic acid via bis-amino linking groups include TETA 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-N,N',N",N'"-tetraacetic acid; 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N'"-tetraacetic acid (DOTA); 1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclopentadecane-N,N',N",N'"-tetraacetic acid (15N4); 1,4,7triazacyclononane-N,N',N"-triacetic acid (9N3); and 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane-N,N',N"-triacetic acid (12N3). Bifunctional chelators based on macrocyclic ligands in which conjugation is via an activated arm attached to the carbon backbone of the ligand can be employed as described by M. Moi et al., J. Amer. Chem., Soc., 42, 2639 (1989) (2-p-nitrobenzyl-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N'"-tetraacetic acid); S. V. Deshpande et al., J. Nucl. Med. 31, 473 (1990); G. Ruser et al., Bioconj. Chem., 1, 345 (1990); C. J. Broan et al., J. C. S. Chem. Comm, 23, 1739 (1990); and C. J. Anderson et al., J. Nucl. Med., 36, 850 (1995) (6-bromoacetamido-benzyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetadecane-N,N',N",N'"-tetraacetic acid (BAT)).

Any metal capable of being detected in a diagnostic procedure in vivo or in vitro can be employed as M in the Det moieties. Particularly, any radioactive metal ion capable of producing a diagnostic result in a human or animal body or in an in vitro diagnostic assay may be used in the practice of the present invention. Suitable ions include the following: Antimony-124, Antimony-125, Arsenic-74, Barium-103, Barium-140, Beryllium-7, Bismuth-206, Bismuth-207, Cadmium-109, Cadmium-115m, Calcium-45, Cerium-139, Cerium-141, Cerium-144, Cesium-137, Chromium-51, Cobalt-56, Cobalt-57, Cobalt-58, Cobalt-60, Cobalt-64, Erbium-169, Europium-152, Gadolinium-153, Gold-195, Gold-199, Hafnium-175, Hafnium-175-181, Indium-111, Iridium-192, Iron-55, Iron-59, Krypton-85, Lead-210, Manganese-54, Mercury-197, Mercury-203, Molybdenum-99, Neodymium-147, Neptunium-237, Nickel-63, Niobium-95, Osmium-185+191, Palladium-103, Platinum-195m, Praseodymium-143, Promethium-147, Protactinium-233, Radium-226, Rhenium-186, Rubidium-86, Ruthenium-103, Ruthenium-106, Scandium-44, Scandium-46, Selenium-75, Silver-110m, Silver-111, Sodium-22, Strontium-85, Strontium-89, Strontium-90, Sulfur-35, Tantalum-182, Technetium-99m, Tellurium-125, Tellurium-132, Thallium-204, Thorium-228, Thorium-232, Thallium-170, Tin-113, Titanium-44, Tungsten-185, Vanadium-48, Vanadium-49, Ytterbium-169, Yttrium-88, Yttrium-90, Yttrium-91, Zinc-65, and Zirconium-95.

The compounds of formula (I) are preferable dissolved or dispersed in a nontoxic liquid vehicle, such as physiological saline or a similar aqueous vehicle, to the desired concentration. A preselected analytical, diagnostic or therapeutic unit dose is then administered to the test animal or human patient, by oral administration or ingestion or by parenteral administration, as by intravenous or intraperitoneal infusion or injection, to attain the desired in vivo concentration. Doses useful for imaging or treating human organs or tumors can be derived, from those found to be effective to image or treat organs in humans in vitro or in animal models, such as those described hereinbelow, or from dosages of other labelled vitamin B₁₂ molecules, previously employed in animal therapy or imaging.

The invention will be further described by reference to the following detailed examples, wherein cyanocobalamin and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide were purchased from Sigma Chem. Co., St. Louis, Mo. Adenosine, 1,4-diaminobutane dihydrochloride, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic (DPTA), hexamethylphosphoramide, 1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate, iodomethane and thionylchloride were obtained from Aldrich Chem. Co., Milwaukee, Wis. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) silica gel and PET-cellulose sheets were purchased from E. M. Science, Gibbstown, N.J. Tc^(99m) and In¹¹¹ were obtained from Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc. and Gd¹⁵³ was obtained from Amersham. Other inorganic salts and solvents were obtained in the highest purity available.

UV-visible spectra were recorded on a Hewlett-Packard diode array spectrophotometer. DTPA dianhydride and 5'-chloro-5'-deoxyadenosine were synthesized as described by W. C. Eckelman et al., J. Pharm. Sci., 64, 704 (1975) and K. Kikugawa et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 87 (1971), respectively. The monocarboxylic acids of cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin-b-carboxylic acid and adenosylcobalamin-b-carboxylic acid were prepared and isolated as described by H. P. C. Hogenkamp, Biochemistry, 13, 2736 (1974); D. L. Anton et al., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 102, 2215 (1980); R. H. Yamada et al., J. Biol. Chem., 247, 6266 (1972) and D. Dolphin, Methods in Enzymology, XVille, 34-52 (1971). Methylcobalamin, adenosylcobalamin and their derivatives are light sensitive, especially in solution, and all reactions and manipulations were carried out in the dark or in dim light.

All images for the in vivo studies were obtained on a GE 500 maxicamera using a LEAP collimator with a 20% window about the 140 keV energy peak of technetium, and a medium energy collimator with a 20% window about the 174 keV and 247 keV energy peaks of Indium. A 256×256 matrix with a dedicated pinnacle computer system was used to collect and analyze the data.

EXAMPLE 1 Cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide

A mixture containing cyanocobalamin-b-carboxylic acid (1.0 g, 0.6 mmol), hydroxybenzotriazole (0.81 g, 6 mmol) and 1,4-diaminobutane dihydrochloride (4.8 g, 30 mmol) in 100 ml of water was adjusted to pH 7.8. 1-Ethyl-3-(3'-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (1.26 g, 6.6 mmol) was then added, the pH was adjusted to 6.4 and the reaction stirred at room temperature for 24 h. TLC on silica gel using n-butanol-acetic acid water (5:2:3) showed the reaction to be complete. Cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide was extracted into 92% aqueous phenol and the phenol layer was washed several times with equal volumes of water. To the phenol extract were added 3 volumes of diethylether and 1 volume of acetone. The desired cobalamin was removed from the organic phase by several extractions with water. The combined aqueous layers were extracted three times with diethylether to remove residual phenol, concentrated to approximately 20 ml in vacuo and crystallized from aqueous acetone. Yield 955 mg, 92%.

EXAMPLE 2 Cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide DTPA

Cyanocobalamin-b(4-aminobutyl) amide (500 mg), 0.3 mmol) was dissolved in 30 ml sat. sodium bicarbonate and treated with solid DTPA dianhydride (1.2 g, 3.4 mmol). The progress of the reaction was monitored by TLC on PEI plates using n-butanol-acetic acid-water (5:2:3) as the solvent. After 30 min incubation at room temperature a second 1.2 g of the dianhydride was added. After two additional additions of dianhydride with adjustments of the pH to 8.2 the reaction mixture was incubated overnight. Cyanocobalamin-DPTA adduct was then extracted into 92% aqueous phenol and purified as described above. The preparation was evaporated to dryness in vacuo and isolated as a glass. Yield 460 mg, 77%. The cyanobalamin-DTPA adduct behaves as a polyanion on paper electrophoresis in 0.1 M sodium phosphate buffer pH 7.1.

EXAMPLE 3 Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide

Methylcobalamin-b-carboxylic acid (1.0 g, 0.6 mmol) was reacted with diaminobutane dihydrochloride as described above for the cyano derivative. The cobalamin was purified by extraction through phenol (see above) and the resulting aqueous solution was concentrated in vacuo. This solution was chromatographed on AG-1X2 200-400 mesh in the acetate form (20×2.5 cm) and the pass through collected. The pass through was concentrated to approximately 20 ml and the desired cobalamin crystallized from aqueous acetone. Yield 920 mg, 88%. Unreacted methylcobalamin-b-carboxyclic acid was eluted with 1 M acetic acid, concentrated and crystallized from aqueous acetone. Yield 60 mg, 6%.

EXAMPLE 4 Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide DTPA

Methylcobalamin-(4-aminobutyl)amide (500 mg, 0.3 mmol) was dissolved in 30 ml saturated sodium bicarbonate and reacted with solid DTPA dianhydride as described above. The methyl cobalamin-DTPA adduct was purified by extraction through phenol, evaporated to dryness in vacuo and isolated as a glass. Yield 600 mg, 96%.

EXAMPLE 5 Adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide

Adenosylcobalamin-b-carboxylic acid (500 mg, 0.3 mmol) was reacted with diaminobutane dihydrochloride (2.4 mg, 15 mmol) as described above. The cobalamin was purified by extraction through phenol (see above). The resulting aqueous solution was concentrated in vacuo and applied to AG-50 X2. 200-400 mesh, in the hydrogen form (20×25 cm). The column was washed thoroughly with water to remove hydroxybenzotriazole and the desired cobalamin eluted with 1 M ammonium hydroxide. After an additional extraction through phenol, adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide was isolated as a glass. Yield 366 mg, 77%.

EXAMPLE 6 Adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide DTPA

Adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide (366 mg. 0.23 mmol) was dissolved in 30 ml saturated sodium bicarbonate and treated with solid DTPA dianhydride (1.0 g, 2.8 mmol) as described above. The cobalamin was purified through phenol (see above). The resulting aqueous solution was concentrated and applied to AG-50 X2, 200-400 mesh, in the hydrogen form (6.0×2.5 cm), the column was washed with water and the desired cobalamin eluted with 0.1 M ammonium hydroxide. The solution was evaporated to dryness in vacuo and adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide DTPA isolated as a glass. Yield 400 mg, 80%.

EXAMPLE 7 Interaction with Intrinsic Factor and Transcobalamin Proteins

Under dim light, 1000 μg of the non-labeled methyl-, adenosyl -, and cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA, as well as 1000 μg of cyanocobalamin and DTPA (Sigma, St. Louis, Mo. 63178), were separately dissolved in 10 ml of normal saline at room temperature. Each of the five 1000 μg/10 ml samples were stored in sealed, aluminum-wrapped 10 ml vials to prevent exposure to light. No buffers were added to the solutions. The pH of the solutions, measured by a Beckman 40 pH meter (Beckman Instruments, Fullerton, Calif.): Cyanocobalamin 5.75, DTPA=3.78; cyano, methyl and adenosylcobalamin-DTPA analogues were 5.75, 6.10, and 6.19, respectively.

To assess in vitro binding to Intrinsic Factor (IF) and Transcobalamins (TC), the intrinsic factor blocking antibody (IFBA) and Unsaturated vitamin B₁₂ Binding Capacity (UBBC) assays were performed with serum randomly obtained from five patients being evaluated for pernicious anemia at the Mayo Clinic. The IFBA and UBBC assays were first performed for clinical purposes as previously described by V.F. Fairbanks et al., Mayo Clin. Proc., 58, 203 (1983); Intrinsic Factor Blocking Antibody [⁵⁷ Co] Radioassay-Package insert, Diagnostic Products Corp.; D. Grossowicz et al., Proc. Exp. Biol., 109, 604 (1962) and C. Gottlieb et al., Blood, 25, 6 (1965).

Next, the serum from the same five patients underwent modified IFBA and UBBC assays. Specifically, 1 μl of the five previously described solutions were separately incubated with purified IF or serum, to potentially saturate all IF and TC binding sites. After incubation for 20 minutes at room temperature and for another 20 minutes at 4° C., 500 μl of the stock (1000 μg/l) Cobalt-57-cyanocobalamin (Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc., St. Louis, Mo. 63134) solution was added and the usual IFBA and UBBC protocols were then followed. All supernatant activity was counted for four minutes on a gamma counter (Micromedix 10/20, Huntsville, Ala. 35805). The results are shown in Table I.

                                      TABLE I                                      __________________________________________________________________________         Clinical Run                                                                         CNB.sub.12                                                                         MEB.sub.12 DTPA                                                                       ADB.sub.12 DTPA                                                                       CNB.sub.12 DTPA                                                                       DTPA                                        __________________________________________________________________________     UBBC                                                                           PT 1                                                                               741   <NSB                                                                               17.1   54.6   222.6  731.5                                         PT 2 632 <NSB 26.8 62.6 216.9 913.1                                            PT 3 2097 <NSB 278.9 590.3 713.3 2078.9                                        PT 4 1378 <NSB 60.9 126.9 433.2 1633.7                                         PT 5 1682 <NSB 91.1 163.9 643.2 1418.0                                       IFBA                                                                           PT 1                                                                               11942.5                                                                              951.5                                                                              4279   6758.5 5151   11899                                          (0.99) (12.48) (2.77) (230) (2.30) (0.99)                                     PT 2 11656 920.5 4082 6841.5 5133.5 11696.5                                     (1.02) (12.90) (2.92) (1.74) (2.31) (1.02)                                    PT 3 11780 912.5 4456.5 6828.5 5338.5 11735.5                                   (1.01) (13.01) (2.66) (1.74) (2.22) (1.01)                                    PT 4 11617 749 4414 7046.5 6002.5 11909                                         (1.02) (15.85) (2.69) (1.64) (1.98) (1.00)                                    PT 5 11653.5 858.5 4381.5 7096.5 5973.5 11778.5                                 (1.02) (10.91) (2.77) (1.72) (1.99) (1.02)                                  __________________________________________________________________________      NSB = Nonspecific binding; counts <100 consistent with saturation of           transcobalamin proteins                                                        Negative reference for IFBA; no binding to intrinsic factor (<1.11)            Positive reference for IFBA; binding to intrinsic factor (>1.43)               Indeterminate reference value (1.11 → 1.43)                             Clinical Run = patients supernatant counts from UBBC and IFBA assays           DTPA = diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid                                     CNB.sub.12 = cyanocobalamin                                                    MEB.sub.12 DTPA = methylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA                   ADB.sub.12 DTPA = adenosylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA                 CNB.sub.12 DTPA = cyanocobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA              

The IFBA assay demonstrated that DTPA does not significantly bind to IF (values less than the negative reference), whereas cyanocobalamin and the cobalamin-DTPA analogs do, in varying degrees, competitively inhibit Co-57 cyanocobalamin from binding to intrinsic factor. By using the counts of the Clinical run divided into the counts of the five solutions, the efficacy of binding to intrinsic factor can be estimated. The averaged percent binding of the five solutions to IF was: Cyanocobalamin=92.5%; methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA=63.2%; cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA=52.9%; adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA=41.0% and 0.8% for DTPA. This is in contrast to the disclosure in Houts (U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,775) that the (b)-monocarboxylic acid of vitamin B₁₂ and its radioiodinated derivative exhibit very low binding to IF.

Likewise the averaged percent binding of the five solutions to the transcobalamin proteins was: Cyanocobalamin=100%, methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA=94.0%, adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA=90.4%, cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA=66.4% and 3.6% for DTPA.

Thus, the attachment of DTPA to vitamin B₁₂ does alter its binding to the carrier proteins. As expected, non-labeled cyanocobalamin had the greatest affinity for IF and the transcobalamin proteins. Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA was next, followed by adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA, and finally cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA. There was also some nonspecific binding of DTPA to the carrier proteins (0.8% and 3.6%).

EXAMPLE 8 Chelation of Radionuclides

Under dim light, 1000 μg of methyl-, adenosyl-, and cyanocobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA were separately dissolved in 200 μl of normal saline. Next, 500 μCi of Indium-111 or 250 μCi of Gadolinium-153 were added to the cobalamin-DTPA solutions. The reactions were carried out at room temperature and room air. For the chelation of technetium, the dissolved cobalamin DTPA complexes were separately placed into sealed 2 ml vials. Next, 200 μl of stannous chloride solution (1000 μg/ml normal saline) were added to each vial. The vials were purged with nitrogen gas for 5 minutes. After this time, 1-5 mCi of Technetium-99m was added to the N₂ purged vials. Each vial underwent further nitrogen purging for 5 minutes. All chelation reactions were mixed gently for 5 minutes.

Control mixtures of 1000 μg of cyanocobalamin were dissolved in 200 μl of normal saline. Cyanocobalamin was mixed with Tc-99m at room temperature and room air, as well as within nitrogen purged vials containing 200 μl of the described stannous chloride solution. Additionally, the cobalamin-DTPA complexes underwent Tc-99m labeling in open vials at room air in the absence of the stannous chloride.

Specific activity was assessed by mixing 100 μl aliquots of methyl and adenosyl cobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA (5 μg/100 μl normal saline) with 50 μl stannous chloride solution (1 μg/50 μl normal saline) in nitrogen purged 2 ml vials. Technetium-99m in 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mCi allotments of activity were added to the vials. The vials underwent gentle mixing and continuous nitrogen purging for five minutes after the addition of technetium.

Efficiency of chelation and specific activity were assessed via thin layer chromatography (TLC). Thin layer chromatographic strips (Grade 31 ET Chr-thickness 0.50 mm, flow rate (water) 225 mm/30 min, Whatman Lab Sales, Hilsboro, Oreg. 97123) were developed in acetone in dim light. The dry strips were placed on film (Ektascan-MC1, Eastern Kodak, Rochester, N.Y. 14650) for autoradiography (AR). Chromatographic and autoradiographic results were visually compared. All the radiolabeled cobalamin-DTPA complexes underwent TLC and AR to confirm 100% labeling prior to in vivo administration.

Under acetone development, free Tc-99m migrates to the top of the chromatographic strip, whereas In-111 and Gd-153 diffusely spread over the lower two-thirds of the strip. TLC and AR analysis demonstrated that there was 100% labeling of all three cobalamin-DTPA complexes with Tc-99m, In-111, and Gd-153. Specifically, all radioactivity was confined to the chromatographic distribution of the cobalamin analogues.

Since methyl and adenosyl cobalamin could potentially have greater uptake in malignant tissue, the chelation of Tc-99m, In-111, and Gd-153 by methyl and adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA underwent greater scrutiny. The chromatographic and autoradiographic images were consistently coincident. In contrast, unmodified cyanocobalamin did not demonstrate any affinity for binding the three radionuclides. As expected, there was minimal labeling of the cobalamin-DTPA complexes with Tc-99m in the absence of stannous chloride and hypoxic conditions.

At a concentration of 5 μg/100 μl the red color of the cobalamin-DTPA analogues is barely discernible in the aqueous state, and undetectable on TLC. However, the AR distribution is the same when compared to the more concentrated cobalamin analogue solutions with lower specific activity. Methyl and adenosyl cobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA can chelate up to 50 mCi of technetium-99m per 5 μg with 100% efficiency. This results in a specific activity of 10 mCi/μg for the cobalamin-DTPA analogue.

EXAMPLE 9 In Vivo Studies

A. Biodistribution: Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA in a concentration of 300 μg/100 μl normal saline was labeled with 3 mCi of Indium-111. The labeled vitamin B₁₂ analogue was diluted with normal saline to a final volume of 1000 μl. Via intraperitoneal injection (IP), five 12 week old female Balb-C mice (Harlan, Sprague, Dawley, Indianapolis, Ind. 46229) each received 200 μl (500 μCi) of the methylcobalamin-DTPA-¹¹¹ In complex. For comparison, Indium-111-DTPA having the same concentration and specific activity of the methylcobalamin-DTPA analogue, was injected IP into three mice. All mice were sacrificed at 24 hours via CO₂ inhalation. The pancreas, spleen, kidneys, and heart were dissected in their entirety. A portion of the liver, lung, left quadricep muscle, and flank fat were also harvested. All tissue samples and organs were weighed wet, minced in 2.0 ml normal saline, and counted for five minutes in a gamma well counter (Minaxi Autogamma 5000, Packard Instrument, Downers Grove, Ill. 60515).

B. Gastrointestinal Absorption: Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)-DTPA and DTPA alone were labeled as described above, with the exception that the 3 mCi Indium/300 μg/100 μl normal saline solutions were not diluted. Two groups of three mice had a few drops of either ¹¹¹ In-DTPA or methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)-DTPA-In-111 placed in their oral cavities. The mice were sacrificed at 24 hrs, dissected, and studied as described above.

A modified Schillings test was performed on two mice. Specifically, each mouse received via subcutaneous and intraperitoneal administration, a 1000 μg loading dose of non-labeled methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA analogue. At 24 hrs, the mice were fed 2-3 drops of Indium-labeled methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA-complex. Urine and feces were collected from the three groups of mice after oral administration. The mice were sacrificed at 24 hours after ingestion of tracer and images and biodistribution data were obtained at that time.

C. Tumor Imaging: At 24 hours, there was a significant amount of adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl) amide-DTPA-In-111 uptake within the transplanted sarcoma both visually and by gamma well counting (Table II).

                                      TABLE II                                     __________________________________________________________________________          Kidney                                                                             Liver                                                                             Spleen                                                                             Pancreas                                                                            Heart                                                                              Lung                                                                               Fat Muscle                                                                             Tumor                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Mouse 1                                                                             3717.5                                                                             943.3                                                                             433.1                                                                              304.2                                                                               134.7                                                                              130.9                                                                              101.4                                                                              93.6                                                                               --                                          Mouse 2 3299.5 823.4 405.3 319.9 189.4 180.1 147.3 51.4 --                     Mouse 3 3462.7 768.6 366.8 310.3 171.2 113.1 102.8 43.9 --                     Mouse 4 224.0 56.9 44.1 13.4 10.3 6.2 12.6 5.4 --                              Mouse 5 130.2 41.5 26.2 13.0 6.9 6.0 19.5 5.6 --                               Mouse 6 281.6 66.1 57.7 14.1 12.5 10.5 18.8 5.0 --                             Mouse 7 621.4 126.4 67.8 40.0 35.0 38.4 --  13.6 --                            Mouse 8 700.5 111.7 66.6 39.3 29.8 51.2 -- 12.4 --                             Mouse 9 601.7 115.8 66.3 41.2 31.3 40.6 -- 12.0 --                             Mouse 10 119.4 24.0 19.5 6.0 5.6 5.4 -- 8.9 --                                 Mouse 11 117.3 25.5 19.0 6.7 5.0 5.3 -- 2.6 --                                 Mouse 12 110.1 23.2 18.1 5.9 4.8 5.0 -- 3.7 --                                 Mouse 13 4.3 0.82 0.67 0.75 0.54 1.1 <BKG <BKG --                              Mouse 14 4.1 0.80 0.70 0.76 0.54 0.33 <BKG <BKG --                             Mouse 15 3.1 0.73 0.65 1.1 0.50 0.44 <BKG <BKG --                              Mouse 16 0.64 0.28 0.62 0.93 <BKG <BKG <BKG <BKG --                            Mouse 17 0.54 0.21 0.67 0.96 <BKG <BKG <BKG <BKG --                            Mouse 18 0.59 0.30 0.48 0.61 <BKG <BKG <BKG <BKG --                            Mouse 19 3886.9 691.0 576.3 445.0 165.0 318.8 76.0 70.1 954.7                  Mouse 20 3115.6 464.8 309.5 242.7 134.8 230.0 170.4 81.9 1426.0                                                    Mouse 21 3592.8 675.0 478.3 439.0                                             157.8 335.2 198.0 166.5 1183.1                                                  Mouse 22 116.5 19.7 17.3 7.1 5.0                                              4.5 13.7 7.2 52.8                           Mouse 23 180.7 40.9 22.8 11.3 8.0 9.2 17.9 6.4 69.3                            Mouse 24 231.2 60.3 46.1 13.9 9.7 8.5 19.2 6.8 73.1                            Mouse 25 543.9 116.5 54.7 38.4 21.7 34.4 39.5 23.5 135.5                       Mouse 26 240.8 56.2 25.8 21.3 11.4 19.9 13.5 15.5 60.4                         Mouse 27 459.2 107.6 37.1 30.3 16.9 21.3 17.8 14.5 120.3                       Mouse 28 14.0 1.6 1.9 1.4 0.94 1.7 0.93 .68 5.0                                Mouse 29 9.9 1.3 1.4 8.2 0.61 0.87 0.75 .60 2.8                                Mouse 30 10.2 1.4 1.6 3.1 0.85 0.93 0.79 .63 3.4                             __________________________________________________________________________      Mice 1-3 and 19-21 = 500 μCi                                                adenosylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA-.sup.111 In injected              intraperitoneal                                                                Mice 4-6 and 22-24 = 500 μCi DTPA.sup.111 In injected intraperitoneal       Mice 7-9 = 500 μCi adenosylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amid-DTPA-.sup.11      In injected subcataneously                                                     Mice 10-12 = 500 μCi DTPA.sup.111 In injected subcutaneously                Mice 13-15 = approximately 30 μCi                                           methylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA-.sup.111 In administered orall      Mice 16-18 = approximately 30 μCi DTPA.sup.111 In administered orally       Mice 25-27 = approximately 100 μCi                                          methylcobalaminb-(4-aminobutyl)-amide-DTPA-.sup.111 In tailvein injection      Mice 28-30 = approximately 100 μCi DTPA.sup.111 In tailvein injection 

Despite the difference in the amount of activity injected between IP and IV routes, the degree of uptake within the tumor was consistently second behind the kidneys. The tumors had two to four times greater activity than the liver, spleen, and pancreas, with 4-12 times greater activity than that of the heart, lungs, fat, and muscle. As expected, no activity was seen to localize in the left flank of the control mice. Usual uptake in the liver and spleen was again seen. Gross pathology of the dissected masses demonstrated fat encapsulated tumors. Microscopically, by H & E stain, the tumors were solid masses of blue stained cells consistent with a sarcoma. No areas of necrosis were noted.

Although DTPA-¹¹¹ In demonstrated uptake within the transplanted tumors, its concentration was 10-20 times less than that of adenosylcobalamin-DTPA-¹¹¹ In.

D. Intravenous Administration: One milligram of either methyl or adenosylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl)amide-DTPA was labeled with 5 mCi of ^(99m) Tc as described above. Several mice were sacrificed via CO₂ inhalation at varying time intervals after tailvein injection. The first urine passed was collected and analyzed via TLC and AR.

E. Results

1. In Vivo Studies

(a) Biodistribution

The organ and tissue distribution of the methyl and adenosylcobalamin-DTPA analogs at 24 hours was similar despite the route of administration (Table II). The kidneys were first, followed by the liver and spleen. The pancreas usually was next followed by the lungs, fat, heart, and muscle. The differences in activity between the pancreas, heart, lung, fat, and muscle was less significant after oral, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration. However, the ratio of uptake between the kidneys to liver, liver to spleen, and spleen to pancreas was relatively constant. The route of administration (IV, IP, PO) did not have any obvious effect on the chelation of Tc-99m or In-111 by these complexes.

The greatest amount of DTPA-¹¹¹ In uptake was in the kidneys. The distribution of DTPA was similar to the cobalamin analogs, especially after intraperitoneal injection. Despite their similarities, DTPA-¹¹¹ In had 5-12 times less activity per organ or tissue sample when compared to the methyl and adenosylcobalamin analogs.

(b) Gastrointestinal Absorption

Methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl) amide-DTPA-In-111 was absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. The majority of activity was localized in the kidneys, liver, and spleen on delayed imaging. In the mice that were not "flushed" with oral and intraperitoneal doses of non-labeled methylcobalamin-b-(4-aminobutyl) amide-DTPA, no discernable activity was detected in the urine by gamma well counting. However, the mice that underwent the "modified Schillings test" had detectable radioactivity within their urine at one hour. Imaging at 24 hours of these "flushed" mice demonstrated significantly less activity throughout the body when compared to the "non-flushed" mice. Fecal radioactivity became detectable at 2 hours in both groups receiving the radioactive cobalamin analogs orally.

DTPA-¹¹¹ In was also absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but to a lesser degree. No activity was detected in the heart, lungs, muscle, or fat tissue samples. Radioactivity was detected in urine and stool by two hours.

(c) Intravenous Administration

Micturition occurred at approximately 15 and 45 minutes after intravenous and intraperitoneal injections, respectively. The first passed urine after intravenous or intraperitoneal administration was always radioactive. TLC and AR analysis of the collected urine showed no evidence of dissociation of the Tc-99m or In-111 from the cobalamin-DTPA complexes. Images at 5 minutes and 4 hours after tailvein injection demonstrated focal early uptake in the kidneys which became obscured by the liver and spleen activity on the delayed images.

(d) Tumor Imaging

At 24 hours, there was a significant amount of adenosylcobalamin-(4-aminobutyl) amide-DTPA-In-111 uptake within the transplanted sarcoma both visually and by gamma well counting (Table II). Despite the difference in the amount of activity injected between IP and IV routes, the degree of uptake within the tumor was consistently second behind the kidneys. The tumors had two to four times greater activity than the liver, spleen, and pancreas, with 4-12 times greater activity than that of the heart, lungs, fat, and muscle. As expected, no activity was seen to localize in the left flank of the control mice. Usual uptake in the liver and spleen was again seen. Gross pathology of the dissected masses demonstrated fat encapsulated tumors. Microscopically, by H & E stain, the tumors were solid masses of blue stained cells consistent with a sarcoma. No areas of necrosis were noted.

Although DTPA-¹¹¹ In demonstrated uptake within the transplanted tumors, its concentration was 10-20 times less than that of adenosylcobalamin-DTPA-¹¹¹ In.

All publications, patents and patent documents are incorporated by reference herein, as though individually incorporated by reference. The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and techniques. However, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of the formula: ##STR10## wherein the moiety ##STR11## is cobalamin, ##STR12## is the residue of a monocarboxylic acid of the cobalamin, X is CN, OH, methyl or adenosyl, Y is a linking group and Chel is a chelating group which can chelate a radionuclide or a paramagnetic metal ion.
 2. The compound of claim 1 wherein Chel is EDTA, DTPA, DOTA, TETA, or DCTA.
 3. The compound of claims wherein 1 is a divalent monomer, dimer, or trimer of --N(H)(CH₂)₂₋₆ N(H)--.
 4. The compound of claim 3 wherein Y is --N(H)(CH₂)₄ NH--.
 5. The compound of claim 1 wherein ##STR13## is the residue of the (b)monocarboxylic acid.
 6. A method of detecting a tumor in a mammal afflicted with a tumor comprising administering to said mammal an amount of a compound of the formula ##STR14## wherein the moiety ##STR15## is cobalamin, ##STR16## is the residue of a monocarboxylic acid of cobalamin, X is CN, OH, methyl or adenosyl, Y is a linking group and Det is a detectable chelating group comprising a radionuclide or a paramagnetic metal ion, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, and detecting the presence of said compound in the tumor.
 7. The method of claim 6 wherein the administration is parenteral.
 8. The method of claim 6 wherein the administration is oral.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein the vehicle is an aqueous vehicle.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the tumor is a liver, kidney, splenic, pancreatic, or gastrointestinal tumor. 